I started this Barberry Jacket around four years ago, while developing the pattern. I had almost finished it – it was just missing buttons, buttonholes and the lining hem needed securing – and then I left it hanging uncompleted for the next four years.
In a recent fit of finishing UFOs and wardrobe tidying, I ‘found’ the jacket again and finished it within a couple of evenings.
This jacket is slightly softer than my other Barberry jackets. To achieve a New Look / Bar Jacket style silhoutte the pattern recommends interfacing all bodice pieces, but only the front of this version is interfaced. The fabric is a lovely quality wool purchased at Misan Midlands in Redditch, and has a nice drape which also makes this version softer than my other Barberry jackets.
Now that it’s finally finished I’m hoping to get lots of wear out of this Barberry. It’s paired here with another project recently recovered from my UFOs/alterations selection, a pair of Ginger Jeans. I originally made these jeans on a workshop in 2019, but I cut out the wrong size and they didn’t fit! After sulking for a year, I added panels at the side seams of the jeans to make them one size larger and wore them until my body changed and they no longer fit once again. Five years later, I recently removed the previous side panels, added in wider panels and am now wearing the jeans again! I probably overdid the ease, as they’re no longer skinny fit jeans, but they’re comfortable and I’m determined to wear these jeans until I wear them out.
